update: i’m pretty sure it’s flu. I just took an hr nap bc i’m exhausted even though i only woke up at 10 and i feel even worse for it 😪 gonna try stay awake and warm until a reasonable hour until i can sleep again.. and get this essay finished :(

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Jan 916:53

You need to go to the doctor
The flue is really bad in the US
Dangerous even, take care

Jan 916:54

@connie71c i’m in the uk, i’m not sure if that makes any difference. I wasn’t vaccinated for the flu jab as my age category isn’t high risk but it sure as hell sucks that i have it. If i’m not better within a few days or i get worse i’ll definitely book in x

Jan 917:00

If you think it’s flu you can treat it yourself at home, plenty of fluids and take ibuprofen and paracetamol for the temperature and aches. Unless you are in an at risk group (see the picture) you should recover, if you are concerned call your doctor but do not go into the clinic unless told to as you can spread it to the at risk groups in the doctors office

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Jan 917:01

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Jan 917:02

@martini_ thanks! I’m aware i’m very contagious right now so i’m trying to avoid everyone really. I have a lecture early in the morning but resting is more important and also not spreading it to them. x

@martini_ thank you. I’ll email them now and pray i start to feel better by the weekend x

Jan 917:08

If you go to the doctor than can give you tamiflu which will help with symptoms

Jan 917:10

@allycat if i went to the doctors my likelihood of passing it onto others would be extremely high at the moment and especially those at risk. I will go if my symptoms worsen but i think i’m able to control the aches and pains with ibuprofen / paracetamol and lots of water and rest for now.

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Jan 917:11

(1) I hope you feel better!
(2) All my suggestions were already listed above - but genuinely curious about the “at risk” age limit. I’m from the US and always got a flu shot no matter the age, is this something that I just wasn’t aware of? Or is it administration of it different in the UK?

Jan 917:15

@scrappy it’s not necessarily age based i’m sure anyone can have the shot but they ‘recommend’ it for certain risk groups (as @martini_ posted above) people above 65, those who have a weakened immune system, and children are more likely to be severely affected and sometimes they offer it for free for them. I’ll definitely be getting a jab next flu period though! 🤕 and thank u <3

Jan 917:17

@scrappy anyone can get the flu vaccine free on the NHS regardless of their age but it’s mainly recommended for elderly, people with compromised immune systems and children, my GP has said that I’m not in the at risk group so it’s entirely up to me if I get it, my friend who is diabetic is always strongly recommended to get the vaccine but at the end of the day it’s personal choice. A healthy 20 year old is more likely to be able to recover quickly after rest and fluids than a 70 year old diabetic so that’s why they say +65s/health conditions etc

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Jan 917:19

Ahhh okay, okay - that makes a lot of sense. Thanks for sharing the wealth!

@allycat i still wouldn’t want to risk other people’s lives / livelihoods but i hear you :) if i could get it without going to the docs i’d be much more comfortable, is it prescription only stuff?

Jan 917:30

@allycat Tamilflu is only to be prescribed within 48hrs of symptoms appearing (according to the tamiflu website) so it might be too late for @vintagesoda (as I remember you saying you felt unwell yesterday and it’s about 17:30 in the UK it might be hard to find a GP open now) but unless the doctor has a reason to be concerned after a phone call they will probably just say rest and fluids

Jan 917:31

@martini_ yeah they came on last night so if i managed to get an appointment for the morning tomorrow it may still work. I’ve had it once before and i just rested until my symptoms and fever began to ease. At the moment i’m very fatigued and my neck and back are very stiff. Hopefully i’ll sleep better tonight x

Jan 917:41

@Martini_ not true. Tamiflu can be used within the first week since flu symptoms don’t always present themselves within the first few days.
@vintagesoda yes you need to go to the doctor for it. Unless you call them and ask for the doctor to write a script for it, which I doubt they will do without seeing you and you don’t know you have the flu unless you had a rapid flu test done.

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Jan 923:43

Get plenty of rest, take paracetamol or ibuprofen and drink lots of water! I had the flu jab this year as although I’m only 20 I work with over 65s and if I get it I may be at risk of passing it on to patients!! Ask to get the flu jab free when it comes around again this October-November!